Dare to Be Different — Why Being a Rebel Rocks
Would you rather be bold, interesting, and unique or dull as hell? Yeah, individualism’s going to win that contest every time! See why you being you dominates.
Don't be blah and bland. Let your true self — whatever that looks like — shine through!
We’re here to let you know why thrashing to your own drumbeat is unbeatable. If you already do that — consider this an extra bit of validation (not that you need it, you bad@ss!) If you’re still squirreling around trying to figure out what the authentic “you” is — consider this encouragement and a source of inspiration.
“I rebel; therefore I exist.” — Albert Camus
Characteristics of a Rebellious Person
Rebels are, by definition, non-conformists. They see a mold and then crush it under their booted heel.
It’s all about individualism and what that means to each person. Individuality is having or exhibiting qualities that strongly distinguish you from others. You’re setting yourself apart from the crowd in ways that are meaningful to you.
As a rebel, you’re taking control of your situation and playing an active role. You’re asserting yourself, rising up against norms or the status quo. That takes ball, so own it!
“You don’t have to burn books, you don’t have to rebel against teachers to rebel; to rebel is to truly own your own self.” — Dhani Harrison
“Rebels and non-conformists are often the pioneers and designers of change.” — Indira Gandhi
Buck the Trends, Babe
You know doing your own thing is the best and only way to go through life. But why is that? What makes finding and walking down your personal path awesome?
Why Do People Rebel — 10 Reasons Assertive Individuality Rules
It’s not just about telling the rest of the world to F off (though you can certainly accomplish that, too!).
This list is far from exhaustive but is a good jumping off point. You’ll catch the drift. And maybe you’ll have even more or personal reasons to go rogue.
- Being true to yourself is a key to happiness.
- You’re freeing yourself to express your views, priorities, tastes, etc.
- It’s likely that you’ll have a healthier sense of self and better self-esteem.
- You’ll probably be more likely to gravitate to people, places, events, and other things that actually resonate with you.
- It’s bound to inject more meaning into your life.
- You’re doing something new and brave!
- You may be setting a good example for others.
- You’re a living example of freedom and achievement.
- It’s a great way to showcase artistic or creative talent and flair.
- Just because — it’s what you want to do! Who needs any other motivation!
So, you see, the long and the short of it: It’s totally worth the effort!
“He drew a circle that shut me out. Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout. But love and I had the wit to win: We drew a circle and took him In!” — Edwin Markham
Words of Rebellious Wisdom
We couldn’t resist tossing in some more on-point quotes about resisting standards and fighting the good fight. Who knew so many random (but famous) figures had so much insight on this topic?
Enjoy!
“I was always a rebel in the sense that I always wanted to go my own road and do something that nobody else has done.” — Maya Beiser
“If you hate your parents, the man, or the establishment, don’t show them up by getting wasted and wrapping your car around a tree. If you really want to rebel against your parents, out-learn them, outlive them, and know more than they do.” — Henry Rollins
“When I need to identify rebels, I look for men with principles” — Frank Herbert
“Every man who has shown the world the way to beauty, to true culture, has been a rebel, a ‘universal’ without patriotism, without home, who has found his people everywhere.” — Chaim Potok
“Every valuable human being must be a radical and a rebel, for what he must aim at is to make things better than they are.” — Niels Bohr
How To Achieve Your Unique Expression of Individuality & Be a Rebel
You’ll have to sort this out for yourself — to each their own after all — but here are some general suggestions for striking out on your journey.
- Experiment with the way you dress. Try things you never wore before — like maybe some overalls or fishnet stockings. Mix it up and make it work for you!
- Explore the world of symbology. There are all kinds of icons, logos, and other representative imagery out there. As you’re discovering your real self, look for graphical elements that are emblematic of who you are and want to be. This could be anything from a skull and cross bones to hearts and flowers to — geez, the possibilities are limitless!
- Find your tribe. Seek out people who share your views and vibes. You can learn and grow from those you surround yourself with and enrich their lives as well. Wins all around!
- Go do sh*t. You can’t expect to “find yourself” if you don’t take steps or action. Attend events or meetups that jibe with your interests. You may need to seek out a variety of experiences to satisfy your soul, but that’s cool.
- Stay true to your course. Don’t cave if it feels wrong to do so. Strive to keep evolving and innovating. Try new things so you can see what you like and continue to refine your identity.
Dissident, Misfit, Oddball, Eccentric — It’s All Good!
What matters most is being honest with yourself and honoring yourself. As we laid out above, there are plenty of reasons why being a rebel — in its many glorious forms — can be a great thing. And there are countless opportunities to become your best-ever rebel.
“Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently.” — Walter Isaacson
